That was the exception to a rule that has held firm for more than six decades. And, remember, that first season of “Lost” was more supernatural in tone than fantasy. The two-hour pilot — the most expensive ever aired on ABC — was helmed by “Alias” wiz J.J. Abrams who won an Emmy for his efforts. When “Lost” veered off into the mystical rather than the mysterious in seasons two and three, it was snubbed in the top race. Only when it returned to its roots did it make a comeback in this category, reaping Best Drama Series bids for seasons four, five and six.

“Game of Thrones” has reaped series bids for each of its first three seasons and is all but certain to contend again this year. It is certainly on the upswing in terms of ratings, be it with viewers or critics. Indeed, this season it earned its highest score yet at Metacritic – 94. Compare that to 79 for its freshman season, 88 for the second and 90 for the third.

However, last year, despite “Game of Thrones” winning Best Drama Series at the TCA Awards and tying for this prize at the Critics’ Choice TV Awards in 2013, it was “Breaking Bad” — which won Program of the Year at the TCAs and shared in the series award at the CCTA — that claimed the top Emmy.

And while “Game of Thrones” has done well in its overall nominations tally at the Emmys, the majority of its wins have come on the Creative Arts side of the ledger as detailed below.

Season one: 13 nominations, including Best Drama Series, Directing, Writing; two wins (Supporting Actor, Peter Dinklage; Main Title Design).